Preventing Roof Leaks With Proper Ventilation and Flashing Maintenance

Skylight leaks can cause serious problems for the home and its occupants. If not fixed immediately, they can quickly grow into a very costly problem. Fortunately, there are several inexpensive solutions that prevent skylight leaks and can be done by yourself, without the help of a pro.

Skylight leaks often start at the roof line, where skylights are installed. Improper installation or poorly executed patching jobs can result in moisture getting past the flashing and down the chimney. As this water drips down and into the living spaces below, it can create a virtual waterfall and create additional ventilation problems that need to be fixed immediately.

The first step is to determine the location of the leak. This is done by investigating the roof itself and looking for any obvious signs of a leak. Signs to look for include bubbling paint or patches of damage from previous roofing repairs. A leak may also be found where the flashing was cut, causing insulation to be exposed.

Once you have located the location of the leak, you’ll need to find the best solution for it. The type of roofing material and the quality of installation used are two factors that need to be taken into account. Although many manufacturers offer a limited warranty on their products, your job is to verify that the manufacturer’s warranty will extend to cover the roof installation. Many manufacturers will provide a free roofing inspection when you purchase a product; this should be used as a guide to help you locate and fix any roofing issues that arise during the course of your roofing installation.

A roof installation is a very specialized job and should only be undertaken by a trained, professional contractor. If you attempt to do the installation yourself, you run the risk of damaging the product and voiding the warranty. The last thing you want is for a leak to cause significant damage to your home or place of business. While it’s possible to find DIY tips online, most do-it-yourself installations will be more complicated than a roof installation by a trained contractor and should be left to the professionals.

One method of detecting skylight leaks involves the use of a flashlight and some form of tool to poke holes in the shingles above the area of the leak. If you’re dealing with a small leak, simply poking a hole in the shingles may not be sufficient to stop the water from passing through. If you’re dealing with a larger leak, however, you’ll probably need to drill additional holes and install stoppers to keep the water from pooling inside your home. These stoppers are usually made of an acrylic material which has the added benefit of resistance to water flow. Stoppers are typically available in several different sizes and are designed to be used in combination with other roofing products such as roof sheets or ceiling tiles to prevent leaks from occurring in these areas.

Skylight leaks can also be detected using a simple tape measure or a pencil. Often, a roofer will mark a line on the roof directly below the skylight and this mark can be used to direct repair efforts. This marking is typically used when installing skylights to ensure proper installation and to ensure that water flow won’t be restricted in any way. Because skylight installation typically requires more than one trip, the presence of a mark on the roof will indicate that the leak has been properly corrected.

If you’ve identified a leak in the roof, one of the most important steps is preventing further damage. One of the most common causes of skylight leaks is flashing that has either been poorly installed or is no longer attached to the roof. While installing flashing around a skylight is not an easy job, it is often completed by professional roofers using high-quality flashings made from galvanized steel that are specifically designed to prevent moisture entry while providing an energy saving design that reduces energy costs. Flashings can be purchased at any home improvement store or hardware store. In addition to sealing the roof itself, flashing can be used to cover window sills, skylights, vents, and other openings in the roof.